By Fidel Rahmati in Khaama Press, April 8, 2023
The Fourth ministerial conference of Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries will take place in Uzbekistan to discuss political settlement and stabilizing the humanitarian and socio-economic situation in the country.
Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia, will lead the Russian delegation at the fourth Foreign Minister’s meeting of the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan in Uzbekistan on April 13, the Russian Ministry said on Friday, TASS News Agency Reported.
Russia and the six neighbouring countries of Afghanistan (China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) will come together in Samarkand to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan and regional cooperation.
“The fourth ministerial conference of Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries (with the participation of Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) is scheduled for April 13 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan). Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation,” the Ministry said.
The focus of the regional partners in the conference would be to facilitate an Afghan political settlement and stabilize the humanitarian and socio-economic situation in the country, according to the Ministry.
Russia and neighbouring countries have repeatedly expressed their concerns over the growing security threats from the country.
“Given the complicated security situation and growing terrorist activity and drug production in Afghanistan, the coordination of counter-terrorist and anti-drug efforts of the region’s countries is especially important,” the Foreign Ministry added.
“Special attention will be paid to regional economic integration and implementation of transport and energy projects with the participation of Kabul in accordance with previously reached agreements,” the Ministry said.
Last year, on March 31 2022, the third regional conference was held in the Chinese city of Tunxi.
The conference attendees agreed that it is critical to improve coordination and cooperation to support Afghanistan’s interim government in meeting its commitments and exceeding expectations from the international community, particularly its neighbours, and to assist Afghanistan in achieving peace, stability, and economic recovery. https://www.khaama.com/russian-fm-to-take-part-in-fourth-ministerial-meeting-of-afghanistans-neighbors/
